I’ve been slathering vitamin C on my face every morning for years. Then The Inkey List drops this 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum and suddenly I’m second-guessing my entire routine.
EGF changes the game — but not how you think. It makes this serum better at night, but you’ll want it in the AM for the glow. The real question is: can your skin handle both?
It’s $12.99 for 1 oz. The claim: brighten skin while speeding up repair. I bought it because I’m cheap and curious about EGF.
15% Pure Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid)
Classic brightener — fades dark spots, fights free radicals.
EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor)
Signals skin to heal faster. Like a tiny repair crew.
Hyaluronic Acid
Keeps it from drying you out while the C works.
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
L-Ascorbic Acid is the gold standard for vitamin C — but it’s unstable and stings if you’re not careful. EGF is a peptide that tells your cells to get their act together and repair damage faster.
- L-Ascorbic Acid (15%): Strongest C form — brightens but can irritate
- EGF: Speeds wound healing and collagen production — best at night
- Hyaluronic Acid: Holds 1000x its weight in water — prevents the C from drying you out
- Ferulic Acid: Stabilizes the C and boosts its effectiveness — smart add
Photo: Viktoriia Muzyka / Unsplash
Watery, almost like a toner. Absorbs in 15 seconds — no sticky residue. First application: mild tingle, no burn.
Week 2: I tried it AM and PM. Morning use gave me a glow by noon. Night use made a small scratch on my hand heal visibly faster. Unexpected: the EGF makes your skin feel… thicker. Not in a bad way — just more resilient.
Photo: Jocelyn Morales / Unsplash
Dark spots around my mouth faded about 30% in 3 weeks. Fine lines stayed the same. Unexpected bonus: a pimple scab healed in 2 days instead of 4.
Photo: Fleur Kaan / Unsplash
Use it at night if you want healing. Use it in the AM if you want glow. Don’t do both — your face will rebel.